Pen point



J. WALLACE PEN POINT Filed April 7, 1939 Sept. 10, 1940.

ATTORNE;

a4 a R A M/u 6 m M N E A l H Fall/ P. t Y cu B a 6 Patented Sept. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT', OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to fountain pens and particularly to pens of the stylus type commonly referred to as stylographic pens, and the object of the invention is to construct a pen point and needle valve or pin for pens of this type and kind so as to provide a free flow of ink to the pen point to provide instantaneous writing without the necessity of pen agitation or shaking to encourage ink feed; a further object being to provide a pen point construction wherein very fine lines may be marked upon a paper, that is to say, considerably finer than has heretofore been possible with pens of the type and kind under consideration, and in fact, as fine as any other type and kind of fountain pen; a further object being to provide a pen point structure wherein various types and kinds of fine, medium or coarse lines may be produced in the use of the pen so as to adapt the pen to the requirements or desires of different users, and further whereby a structure of this type may be used as a drafting pen in drawing different thicknesses of lines; a still further object being to provide a pen point structure wherein the writing point may be readily cleaned of an obstruction in the event that the point should become clogged for any reason, and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in a pen point of the class and for the purpose specified, which is constructed in accordance with the method more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

'I'he invention is fully disclosed in the followin'g specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a view showing a part of the point end portion of a fountain pen.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view through the pen point showing one form of construction.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing another form of construction.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 showing another form of construction.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of one end portion loi' a modified form of needle valve which I employ.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing only part of the construction and in an inverted position, and

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 showing another adaptation of the invention.

In the construction of pen points of the type and kind under consideration, it has been the practice to employ a pen point of tubular con- (Cl. 1Z0-44) struction having a one diameter bore throughout the length thereof, in which the control pin or needle valve was slidably mounted to control and regulate the feed of ink to the writing end of the pen point. In other words, it has been the theory that in order to control the flow of ink to the writing end of the pen point, it was desirable to provide a relatively long restricted passage in the bore of the tube and around said pin or needle. However, this passage was of necessity sufficiently large to provide a free flow of ink to the writing point of the pen, the result of which was that a fairly heavy line or marking would always result. Furthermore, a structure of this type and kind had a tendency to become clogged by the hardening of the ink in the passage and also from the standpoint of the collection of foreign particles in the passage with no means for discharging the sam, by reason of the fact that the pin or needle valve was always maintained in at least part of the bore of the tubular pen point.

It is the purpose of my invention to overcome these objectionable features by modifying the construction of the tubular pen point as well as the structure of the pin or needle Valve associated therewith. For example, I propose to provide the tubular pen point with a large bore throughout the major portion of the length thereof and materially reduce the diameter of the bore at the writing end, joining the large and smaller bores in a tapered wall structure which will permit free movement of the pin or needle valve through both bores, or from the large 'bore into the smaller bore.

In producing very fine marking pen points, I also propose to reduce the diameter of the outer wall structure of the tubular pen point at the writing end portion thereof. This can be further exemplified by reducing the diameter of the outer end portion of the pin or needle valve, while at the same time proportionately reducing the diameter of the small bore at the writing end of the pen point.

With pen points constructed in accordance with the teachings outlined above, it will be understood that less clearance can be provided between the pin or needle valve and the small bore of the pen point by reason of the restricted length of the small bore longitudinally of the pin, and further by reason of the increased volume of fluid storage in the large diameter bore providing sufficient pressure to insure the proper discharge of ink from the writing end of the pen, as will be apparent.

In Fig. l of the drawing, Itrepresents a part of the pen point or feed section of a stylographic fountain pen, in which is arranged the usual feed tube and pen point supporting member II, a part of which is shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. 2 of the drawing. In the lower contracted end of the member II is supported a tubular pen point I2 which is flxedly secured in the bore IIa of the member II in any desired manner.

In the construction of the pen point as seen in Figs, 2 and 6 of the drawing, the inner end portion of the pen point is provided with a large bore I3, and the outer end with a smaller bore I4 joining the larger bore in a conical beveled portion I5 of such slight taper as to insure the free movement of an ink feed control pin or needle valve I6 through the pen point from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 6. The pin I6 as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 6 is of the same diameter throughout its length and is secured at its inner end to a weighted plunger I1. In this connection it will be understood that as a matter of illustrating the general pen structure, reference can be made to my prior Patent No. 1,824,249, granted September 22, 1931, in which a pen of the general type and kind here under consideration is disclosed.

The weighted plunger I1 serves to feed the pin or needle I6 forwardly to protrude the rounded end I6a thereof beyond the tip or rounded writing end I8 of the pen point when the fountain pen is in the writing position or when the parts are in the position as shown in Fig. 6. When arranged in the other position, however, the weighted plunger will retract the pin I6 into the tubular point I2 to a position substantially similar to that shown in Fig. 2. This action of the plunger and pin serves to advance the ink to the forward writing end Il of the pen point and insure instantaneous delivery of ink and operation of the pen, unless the pen has been carried about or laid around for a long period of time, and then it might be essential to shake or agitate the fountain pen a few times to feed the ink forwardly to the writing end thereof:

When the pin or needle I6 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, it will be seen that the rounded end IBa thereof is disposed within the large diameter bore I3 of the pen point leaving a relatively large amount of ink in the bore forwardly of the end IGa for delivery to the writing end I8 when the pen is moved into the position shown in Fig. 6, thus insuring a delivery of writing fluid to the writing end I8 of the penA point.

It will be apparent that the illustrations in Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive are very much enlarged in order to more clearly illustrate the structure, while as above stated, the dimensions of the pen and the pin or needle valve may vary in preducing various thicknesses of lines. In order to give some idea of proportions and solely for illustrative purposes, it may be said that the diameter of the bore I3 is sixteen-thousandths of an inch (.016), whereas the diameter of the bore I4 may be eleven-thousandths of an inch (.011) and the diameter of the pin I6 tenthousandths of an inch (.010). From this it will appear that very slight clearance is provided between the pin IB and the bore Il for the ink feed, whereas a considerable clearance is provided between the pin -I6 and the bore I3. In some instances where a finer line is desired, the writing end of the tubular pen point may be reduced in outside diameter, as seen at Ila in Fig. 3 of the drawing, or as at I8b in Fig. 4 of the drawing. In one instance, for example as shown in Fig. 3, the end is turned down,l

whereas in Fig. 4, the same effect is accomplished by a swaging operation. In this construction, the reduced end I0b may join the remainder oi the pen tube in a tapered wall I8.

Where it is desirable to use still smaller diameters in the bore Il and especially where the end I 8a, Ib has been reduced in diameter to provide finer lines, the tip end portion ISb of the pin or needle may be reduced in diameter by swaging or in any other desired manner so that the reduced end Iib will join the remainder of the pin in 'a long tapered portion 20 as seen in Fig. 5 of the drawing. With this construction and bearing in mind the proportions previously referred to, the end IGb may b e fivethousandths of an inch (.005) in diameter. In such cases, the bore I4 will be six-thousandths of an inch (.006) in diameter. Assuming that the normal outside diameter of the pen point is twenty-tive thousandths of an inch (.025), this point may be reduced to flfteen-thousandths of an inch (.015) as at Ila, Ib, or to a smaller diameter when a bore I4 of six-thousandths of an inch (.006) is employed. 'I'he only essential feature is to provide suiilcient material to withstand the pressure applied to the pen by the user in the process of writing, or drawing.

It will be understood that the pin or needle valve as disclosed in Fig. 5, is applicable to the structure as shown in Figs. 2 and 6 as well as in Figs. 3 and 4. However, in referring to Figs. 2 and 6 it will be understood that it is not essential to reduce the outside diameter of the tip end portion I8 of the pen, even though the bore Il is reduced in diameter. It will of course beapparent that lnproducing pens of the heavier or thicker line markingtype, the same general proportions will be maintained, notwithstanding the increase in diameters of the several' parts.l In some instances, agreater or lesser varnountl of clearancewilljbe provided between th'e pin I6 or its lends ICh-and the borev Il of thepen point; l In Fig. 3 of the drawing,- the small bore is represented by the reference character` Ila, whereas in Fig. 4 the small bore is represented by the reference character Mb "and the large bore by the reference rcharacter IIb. In the illustrations in the accompanying drawing, the length of the bore I4 is shown as slightly greater than the extension of the pin I6 beyond the pen point when in the position shown in Fig. 6, but here again this bore I4, Ila, Hb may be increased or decreased in length in the di'erent styles of pens and in handling different writing fluids. At this time it is also well to point out that different clearances may be necessary in the bore I4, Ila, Hb with different types and kinds of writing fluids, especially with respect to conventional writing iluids and drafting fluids.

By reason of the fact that the tip end Ita extends will into the bore I3, lia, Ilb of the pen point, it will appear that if any small particles should collect in the bore I4, Ila', Mb when the pen is in the inverted position, these particles will be removed by the forward movement of the pin I6 when moving the pen into the normal writing position, the pin acting as a plunger to discharge auch particle or particles. It will thus be seen that the writing end portion of the pen or the bore I4, Ila, IIb thereof may be kept free and clear at all times for the free flow of ink to said writing end, thus producing a substantially non-failing writing implement, that is to say, as long as there is a supply of fluid to the bore I3, I3a, I3b. This latter bore serves as a reservoir for the storage of ink for instantaneous delivery to the writing end of the pen point when a pen is usedy more or less instantly. Of course this ink will drain back into the sack or other reservoir if the penis supported in inverted position for any great length of time.

In Fig. '1 of the drawing, 2l represents a tubular pen point having a writing end portion 22. This pen point differs from the pen point shown in the other figures in having a straight or one diameter bore 23. To obtain substantially the same effect accomplished in the structure shown in the other figures, a pin or needle valve 24 is employed wherein the inner mounting end portion 25 thereof is of less diameter than the outer free end portion 26 thereof. The end 26 joins the end portion 25 in a beveled wall structure 21. With this construction the effect of the restricted discharge as at I4, I 4a and I4b will be provided in the end portion 23a of the bore 23 when the enlarged end portion 28 of the pin 24 is arranged therein and when the parts are in writing position as is illustrated in Fig. 7. When in inverted position, the end 26a of the pen will drop into the bore 23 thus provducing a large passage beyond the pin at the writing end 22 of the pen point, or within the bore portion as at 23a. Of course the structure shown in Fig. '7 will not have all of the advantages of the structure shown in the other figures, but the effect of the short restricted passage at the discharge or writing end of the pen point will be accomplished.

In constructing the pin or needle valve 24, it will be apparent that this may be made by swaging in the manner taught in Fig. 5 of the drawing, or this structure may be accomplished by' simply attaching a tube to the outer free end of the small diameter pin 25. It will also appear that the structure shown in Fig. '7 will be more adaptable for use in the heavy line marking or writing pens than in the fine line marking pens.

It will of course be apparent that the reciprocating movement of the pin or needle I6 in engaging a surface over which the pen is moved, acts in the manner of a pump to feed the ink from the bore I3 into the bore I4.

In connection with the pin or needle valve structure 24 shown in Fig. 7 of the drawing, it will of course be apparent that the end of the needle which is mounted in the weight, not shown, may be of the same diameter or of a large;` diameter than the end portion 26, the only essential feature being that the reduced part 25 be sufliciently long as to provide the large passage throughout the full length of the inner end portion of the tubular pen point in both the outermost and innermost positions of the needle valve. In fact in all of the illustrations, the important structure of the needle valve is that pertion thereof which operates within the pen point in any position of the valve.

It will be apparent that the thickness of the wall of the pen point at the writing end thereof will govern, to a large degree, the thickness of line or marking of the pen. This wall thickness may be varied as previously stated to form the desired marking. 'I'he above is made possible in utilizing the restricted discharge pen point. However, this discharge may also be varied to increase or decrease ink flow.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A pen point structure for writingand marking implements comprising a tubular member, means supporting one end of said member in forming a supply of ink to a large diameter bore at said end of the member, said member having a relatively short length of 'uniform small diameter bore at the marking end of said member, and a weighted needle valve movably disposed in the bores of said member and having an end portion movable in and relatively to the small diameter bore of said member, said end portion of the needle valve being of a uniform diameter slightly less than the diameter of said small bore, and the end of said weighted needle valve being movable through the small diameter bore to protrude beyond the writing end of said member when the member is in writing position, and to be retracted through the small diameter bore into the large diameter bore when said member is in inverted position.

2. A pen point for stylographic pens comprising an elongated tubular body having a relatively short length of uniform small diameter bore at the writing end portion thereof and an enlarged uniform diameter bore at the other end portion of said body joining the small diameter bore in a beveled wall.

3. A pen point for stylographic pens comprising an elongated tubular body having a relatively short length of uniform small diameter bore at the writing end portion thereof and an enlarged uniform diameter bore at the other end portion of said body joining the small diameter bore in a beveled wall, and the writing end portion of said body being of less outside diameter than the remainder of said body.

4. In a stylographic pen of the class described,

a needle valve controlling the feed of ink to the its length and terminating at its writing end in a short bore of smaller and uniform diameter, a pin movably arranged in the bores of said .pen point, the end portion of the pin movable in the smaller diameter bore being greater in length than the length of said small bore, and said end portion of the pin having a uniform diameter slightly less than the uniform diameter of said small bore to control the feed of ink through said bore to the writing end of the pen point.

6. In a fountain pen of the class described, a tubular pen point, said pen point having a large diameter bore throughout the major portion of its length and terminating at its writing end in a short bore of smaller and uniform diameter, a pin movably arranged in the bores of said pen point, the end portion of the pin movable in the smaller diameter bore being greater .in length than the length of said small bore, said end portion of the pin havinga uniform diameter slightlyless than the uniform diameter of said small bore to control the feed of ink through said bore to the writing end of the pen point, and the outer end of said pin extending beyond the writing end of the pen point when the pen is held in writing position and retracted into the large diameter bore of the pen point when said pen is in inverted position.

'7. In a fountain pen of the class described, a tubular pen point, said pen point having a large diameter bore throughout the major portion of its length and terminating at its writing end in a short bore of smaller and uniform diameter, a pin movably arranged in the bores of said pen point, the end portion of the pin movable in the smaller diameter bore being greater in length than the length of said small bore, said end portion of the pin having a unifom diameter slightly less than the uniform diameter of said small bore to control the feed of ink through said bore to the writing end of the pen point, and the small diameter bore of the pen point Joining the large diameter bore in a short beveled wall.

8. In a fountain pen of the class described, a tubular pen point, said pen point having a large diameter bore throughout the major portion of its length and terminating at its writing end in a short bore of smaller and uniform diameter, a pin movably arranged in the bores of said pen point, the end portion of the pin movable in the smaller diameter bore being greater in length than the length of said small bore, said end portion of the pin having a uniform diameter slightly less than the uniform diameter of said small bore to control the feed of ink through said bore to the writing end of the pen point, and the other end portion of said pin being of larger uniform diameter than the first named end portion thereof.

9. In a fountain pen of the class described, a tubular pen point, said pen point having a large diameter bore throughout the major portion of its length and terminating at its writing end in a short bore of smaller and uniform diameter, a pin movably arranged in the bores of said pen point, the end portion of the pin movable in the smaller diameter bore being greater in length than the length of said small bore, said end portion of the pin having a uniform diameter slightly less than the uniform diameter of said small -bore to control the feed of ink through said bore to the writing end of the pen point, and the outside diameter of a short length of the writing end portion of the pen point at the extremity thereof having a uniform outside diameter less than the outside diameter of the remainder of the pen point.

JOSEPH WALLACE. 

